Colostomy bag cleaning system

Abstract

A closed drainage system for irrigating colostomy bags wherein the bag is irrigated and cleaned while in its operable position associated with the person. More specifically, the invention mounts a manifold within the colostomy bag with an access to a water pressure from outside, the manifold providing a spray dispersion of fluid, or water preferably, at the top of the bag and gravity then drips it down through the bag and out the open bottom, preferably with the residue of the bag being washed out by the water and passing into a toilet where the user flushes the bag to completion of cleaning with all residue from the bag passing into the toilet. A water source from the toilet itself, or other suitable water supply, provides the pressured water to the manifold inside the top of the colostomy bag.

1. A cleansing system for a colostomy bag comprising,
 a flexible colostomy bag having a fluid supply opening formed at a proximal longitudinal end of the colostomy bag, a drain opening formed at a distal longitudinal end of the colostomy bag and substantially axially aligned with the fluid supply opening, and a stoma opening formed between the fluid supply opening and the drain opening; 
 a manifold shaped to substantially mirror the proximal longitudinal end of the colostomy bag, coupled with the fluid supply opening and formed between the fluid supply opening and the stoma opening, the manifold having a plurality of openings defined therein and a divider disposed thereon, the divider axially aligned with the fluid supply opening; and 
 a fluid supply source to provide fluid under pressure through the fluid supply opening and into the manifold, wherein the divider directs the fluid under pressure to the plurality of holes in the manifold throughout an upper portion of the colostomy bag and the fluid under pressure flows through the drain opening at the distal end of the colostomy bag; and 
 a port to vent gas through an odor-controlling filter. 
 
     
     
       2. The cleansing system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid under pressure that is directed by the divider in the manifold disperses fluid through the plurality of holes such that the fluid is dispersed from the plurality of holes to clean the substantially entire interior of the colostomy bag. 
     
     
       3. The cleansing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a one-way valve disposed in the fluid supply opening that prevents reverse flow of fluids. 
     
     
       4. The cleansing system of  claim 1 , wherein the colostomy bag is formed from two similarly shaped, substantially flat pieces of polymer material that are heat sealed at a periphery in a heat-sealed line. 
     
     
       5. The cleansing system of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold is formed with a heat sealed line from a proximal latitudinal end of the colostomy bag to a distal latitudinal end of the colostomy bag. 
     
     
       6. The cleansing system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings defined in the manifold are formed with heat seals. 
     
     
       7. The cleansing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener that facilitates folding and securing the colostomy bag in a smaller size. 
     
     
       8. The cleansing system of  claim 7 , wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
       9. A colostomy bag comprising,
 a bag having a fluid supply opening formed at a proximal longitudinal end of the bag, a drain opening formed at a distal longitudinal end of the bag and substantially axially aligned with the fluid supply opening, and a stoma opening formed between the fluid supply opening and the drain opening, the stoma opening facilitating coupling the bag to an ostomy; and 
 a manifold shaped to substantially mirror the proximal longitudinal end of the colostomy bag, coupled with the fluid supply opening and formed between the fluid supply opening and the stoma opening, the manifold having a plurality of openings defined therein and divider disposed thereon, the divider axially aligned with the fluid supply opening; and 
 a filtered vent port. 
 
     
     
       10. The colostomy bag of  claim 9 , further comprising a one-way valve disposed in the fluid supply opening. 
     
     
       11. The colostomy bag of  9 , wherein the colostomy bag is formed from two similarly shaped, substantially flat pieces of polymer material that are heat sealed at a periphery in a heat-sealed line. 
     
     
       12. The colostomy bag of  claim 9 , wherein the manifold is formed from a proximal latitudinal end of the colostomy bag to a distal latitudinal end of the colostomy bag. 
     
     
       13. The colostomy bag of  claim 9 , further comprising a fastener that facilitates folding and securing the colostomy bag in a smaller size. 
     
     
       14. The colostomy bag of  claim 13 , wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
       15. The colostomy bag of  claim 9 , wherein the vent port has an odor-controlling filter.